James Franco denies return to Planet of the Apes

James Franco is doubtful he will return to 'The Planet of the Apes' sequel as original director Rupert Wyatt quiet earlier this year and no one has contacted him since

James Franco is doubtful he will return to 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes'.

The Hollywood heartthrob - who played Will Rodman in the 2011 film 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes - admits he is unsure whether he will reprise his role in the action franchise as no one has contacted him since the departure of original director Rupert Wyatt.

Speaking to MTV James, 34, revealed: "I was going to be a small part of the next one. There was a moment when Rupert Wyatt was going to direct the second one. A lot of the human characters that were in the first movie were dead in the sequel that Rupert was going to direct.

"But there was one scene, between Caesar and my character, maybe even just like on a video that was left behind, but then a lot of things happened, like [former Fox co-chairman]

"Tom Rothman who was a big part of the first movie, left. Now Rupert's not a part of it so I don't know. My guess is I won't be in it. Nobody's talked to me since Rupert left."

'Cloverfield' director Matt Reeves took over the project after Rupert quit the venture earlier this year amid speculations he was unhappy with working towards a release date of May 2014.

The film, which has been penned by Mark Bomback, will see Andy Serkis return to reprise his role as lead chimp Caesar.

Ten years after the events of 2011's Rise of the Planet of the Apes, simian leader Caesar (Serkis) must work with human leader Malcolm (Clarke) to forge an alliance between apes and men. Thought-provoking and exciting, with fine performances from Serkis, Clarke, Oldman and Kebbell, it's a blockbuster for grown-ups.